That was an announcement. The Cleveland Cavaliers (13-7) won the tough away game at the Philadelphia 76ers (11-8) with 113:91. In addition to an outstanding bank around Dwyane Wade, LeBron James was particularly convincing. In the Sixers, Joel Embiid shines while Ben Simmons remains pale.
The Cavs continue to make up ground in the Eastern Conference. The sixers already achieved their eighth success in series. Most of the time, the stag in the east controlled the events. Especially the second unit around the strong Dwyane Wade (15 points, 5 assists) gave Cleveland a double-digit lead early on, which the Cavs were able to successfully defend.
The Ty Lue team was once again able to rely on LeBron James for this project. The King, visibly tempted by the comparisons with Ben Simmons, started ultra-hot with 15 points in the first quarter and was always there when his team needed a score. He scored 30 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. J. R. was also convinced by the Cavs’ Starting Five. Smith with a hot hand and a total of 11 points (4/6 FG).
The Sixers tried everything again after the change, but didn’t really come in striking distance anymore. Joel Embiid made good use of his obvious advantage over Kevin Love (13) and scored 30 points (11/24 FG, 11 rebounds), 16 in the third quarter alone, when Philly had now reached four points. Afterwards, the Cavs-Bank came into play again and extended the lead. Simmons (10 points, 5/11 FG, 8 rebounds, 2 assists), on the other hand, was well defended by Jae Crowder over long distances and left the game five minutes before the end.
All in all, only J. J. scored points for the two stars at Philly. Redick (11 points, 4/16 FG) and T. J. McConnell (11) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (12) with two digits.
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The Cavs had probably paid attention during the video study before the game. In the past few games, the Sixers were as hot as frying fat from a distance. Cleveland knew how to deliver the shooters (especially JJ Redick and Robert Covington). So the Sixers couldn’t initiate a run and euphoricize the audience. In the first half, Philadelphia did not meet a single threesome. A novelty this season. It did get a little better, but with a ratio of 10.7 percent (3/28) it is hardly possible to win a game.
Due to the hard closeouts, however, some of the players were missing under the basket. The Sixers are also the best rebounding team in the league and dominated the East-Champ in this game. By the middle of the second half, the Sixers had already grabbed 12 offensive rebounds. Especially Dario Saric (10 rebounds) was able to secure a good position underneath the basket several times and was able to exploit some second chances. In the end the Sixers had 22 offensive boards (Cavs: 10) on their account and won this category with 53:45.
The bank played a large part in the Cavs’ winning streak. It was the reservists who provided Cleveland with a small cushion in the first half. Especially Dwyane Wade presented herself in a splendid form. After turning a threesome into transition, the former finals MVP had visibly boosted his self-confidence and made one of his best games in the Cavs jersey.
Ultimately, the Cavs’ bankers scored more than twice as many points as the Sixers’. A total of six threes of Kyle Korver (9 points), Channing Frye (12) and Wade provided a lot of relief. Jeff Green (14 points, 10 rebounds) also played a major role.
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LeBron James. It must have been a majesty insult to compare Simmons with the mega star. James came out of the starting blocks and gave Simmons the first nine Cavs points in a direct duel. He was also the fixed point in a moderate starting five of the Cavs and did with Philly what he wanted. Symptomatically, his buzzerbeater at the end of the first half, when he only put a threesome on the ring, grabbed his own rebound and finished off the corner with the horn. After the change he changed gears and played a total of only 31 minutes.
Robert Covington. Lastly hot and one of the best shooters of the league, but that night anonymously. After problems with foul, he found no rhythm at the beginning and discarded his first four throws. For the first time in this season Blieb remained without a converted threesome (a total of nine bricks) and was not able to stop LeBron if he defended him. 2 points (1/11 FG), 4 rebounds and 4 assists, 3 turnovers were in the boxing score. Also weak: Redick.
While Cavs coach Lue LeBron set up against Saric, sixers coach Brett Brown tried out with Simmons against James – and that was not very successful. The MVP repeatedly pulled to the basket and Simmons had no means to stop it. The Australian also had huge problems against the Second Unit with Wade. Later on, Simmons was hiding more and Covington was supposed to contain LeBron. But he did not have much success with this task either.